Social Media Accounts and Adolescent Mental Health
Author Information
Author(s): Taiane de Azevedo Cardoso, Amanda Raffoul, Osamu Itani, Wakithi Siza Mabaso, Sascha Hein, Gabriela Pavarini, Mina Fazel
Primary Institution: University of Oxford
Hypothesis
Are adolescents with public social media accounts at higher risk for anxiety and depression compared to those without?
Conclusion
Adolescents with public social media accounts are at a higher risk for anxiety and depression, while active parental guidance can provide some protective effects.
Supporting Evidence
- 40.43% of adolescents had a public social media account.
- 32.6% of adolescents screened positive for anxiety and depression.
- Adolescents with public accounts had 1.39 times higher odds of anxiety and depression.
Takeaway
Having a public social media account can make kids feel more anxious and sad, but if their parents help them with online safety, it can make things better.
Methodology
A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted among 80 secondary schools and further education colleges in England, analyzing responses from adolescents aged 11-18.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from self-reported data and the exclusion of certain demographics.
Limitations
The study's cross-sectional design limits causal inferences, and not all potential confounders were accounted for.
Participant Demographics
Participants were adolescents aged 11-18, with a mean age of 13.8 years, and included 55.48% females.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI 1.29-1.49
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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